Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — USS Truxtun, an American Navy destroyer, paid a visit to Boston this weekend.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer was commissioned in 2009 and named after Commodore Thomas Truxtun, one of the first six commanders appointed by George Washington to the newly formed U.S. Navy.
The vessel docked at Black Falcon Terminal for St. Patrick's Day Weekend, giving the public a chance to tour the ship and its features.
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"We are a Flight II Alpha, meaning that we are able to house helicopters," Lt. Meghan Brooks, the ship's operations officer, told WBZ NewsRadio Saturday.
The Truxtun also boasts several weapons systems, including anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, air and missile defense, and a vertical launching system (VLS) that holds up to 96 missiles.
1 of 4 Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
2 of 4 Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
3 of 4 Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
4 of 4 Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
Barry Brown was one of Saturday's visitors. 60 years ago, Brown served aboard another guided-missile destroyer, USS Berkeley, and marveled at the differences in the newer ship.
"It’s bigger and the whole missile system is different and all electronics and everything. It’s got a flight deck on the back for helicopters. We didn’t have any of that," Brown said.
Libby, Brown's wife, was not as impressed.
"I thought it was typical Navy, just gray; gray and damp," Libby laughed.
The Truxtun's crew will wrap up the visit by taking part in South Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day/Evacuation Day parade on Sunday.
WBZ's Suzanne Sausville (@WBZSausville) reports.
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